With Philippine Sports Commission’s project – the Philippine Sports Institute – inaugurated on the 16th of January, the country’s grassroots level development would finally see light. In the same inauguration, it was announced that 12 regional training centers will be formally opened throughout the Philippines.
After more than enough meetings with sports stakeholders last year, the PSI will focus on the athletes’ skills and talents starting from their own hometowns. According to PSC Chairman, William “Butch” Ramirez, the athletes would not need to come to the Ultra just to train, for the Institute would gladly bring it to their own provinces. Ramirez reiterates, “As instructed by the president, we will support you, help you, but you have to be disciplined. You have to dedicate yourself.
Aside from your talent, aside from your exposure, we have to train not only because of you, not only because of money, but for the country.” Another project that the agency is planning is to have sports medicine through sports science centers where psychologists, physiologists, and nutritionists would be deployed.
(written by Lian Gomez)
